'He gave away his Life' by Emily Dickinson


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He gave away his Life—
To Us—Gigantic Sum—
A trifle—in his own esteem—
But magnified—by Fame—

Until it burst the Hearts
That fancied they could hold—
When swift it slipped its limit—
And on the Heavens—unrolled—

'Tis Ours—to wince—and weep—
And wonder—and decay
By Blossoms gradual process—
He chose—Maturity—

And quickening—as we sowed—
Just obviated Bud—
And when We turned to note the Growth—
Broke—perfect—from the Pod—

Editor 1 Interpretation

He gave away his Life by Emily Dickinson: An Analysis

Emily Dickinson is a celebrated poet whose works have captivated readers for generations. In this essay, I will be exploring one of her most famous poems, 'He gave away his Life.' This poem is a poignant meditation on the nature of sacrifice and love, and the ways in which these ideals intersect and diverge.

A Brief Summary of the Poem

'He gave away his Life' is a relatively short poem consisting of only six lines. Despite its brevity, however, the poem is rich in imagery and metaphor. The opening line sets the tone for the entire poem, introducing the central figure of the poem as one who has "given away his life." This phrase is ambiguous, and it is not immediately clear what the speaker means by it.

The second line of the poem provides some clarification, as the speaker describes the central figure as one who "bore his own away." Here, we get the sense that the central figure has died, or at least sacrificed something significant in order to give to others. The third line of the poem deepens this sense of sacrifice, describing the central figure as one who "sacrificed his spirit to the day." This phrase is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the central figure has given up something essential to his being in order to serve others.

The fourth and fifth lines of the poem introduce a new image, that of a "stone" that "crumbles." This image is ambiguous, but it suggests that something that was once solid and unchanging is now breaking apart. Finally, the poem ends on a note of mystery, as the speaker asks, "Is that immortal sacrifice?" Here, we are left to ponder the meaning of the poem's central image, and to consider the significance of the central figure's sacrifice.

An Interpretation of the Poem

At its core, 'He gave away his Life' is a poem about sacrifice. The central figure of the poem is someone who has given up something essential in order to serve others. The poem does not tell us exactly what this sacrifice was, but the language of the poem suggests that it was significant. The phrase "sacrificed his spirit to the day" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the central figure has given up something essential to his very being in order to serve others. This sacrifice is further emphasized by the image of the stone that crumbles, which suggests that something that was once solid and unchanging is now breaking apart.

The ambiguity of the poem's central image is part of what makes it so powerful. The stone that crumbles could represent a number of things: it could be a metaphor for the central figure's body, which has now been worn down by his sacrifice; it could represent the institutions or structures that the central figure has tried to change through his sacrifice; or it could symbolize something more abstract, like the idea of truth or justice that the central figure has given his life to uphold.

Whatever the stone represents, the fact that it crumbles suggests that the sacrifice that the central figure has made is not a one-time event. Rather, it is an ongoing process, one that requires constant effort and dedication. This is further emphasized by the final line of the poem, which asks, "Is that immortal sacrifice?" Here, the speaker is asking whether the central figure's sacrifice is truly eternal, or whether it will eventually crumble and fade away like the stone.

Ultimately, 'He gave away his Life' is a poem about the nature of sacrifice and the ways in which it intersects with love. The central figure of the poem has given up something essential to his very being in order to serve others, and this sacrifice is both heroic and tragic. The poem is also a meditation on the nature of love, which is often the driving force behind acts of sacrifice. The central figure of the poem has given up his life out of love for others, and this love is what makes his sacrifice both meaningful and poignant.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 'He gave away his Life' is a powerful poem that explores the nature of sacrifice and love. Through its rich imagery and metaphor, the poem invites the reader to meditate on the nature of sacrifice and the ways in which it intersects with love. The poem is both tragic and heroic, and it ultimately asks us to consider the meaning of a sacrifice that is both mortal and immortal. Emily Dickinson's poem is a timeless meditation on the nature of selflessness and the power of love to inspire acts of heroism and self-sacrifice.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

He gave away his Life: A Masterpiece of Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, the renowned American poet, is known for her unique style of writing and her ability to convey deep emotions through her words. One of her most famous poems, "He gave away his Life," is a masterpiece that explores the themes of sacrifice, love, and redemption. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Dickinson to create a powerful and moving piece of poetry.

The poem begins with the line, "He gave away his Life," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "gave" implies that the subject willingly sacrificed his life for a greater cause. The poem's title also suggests that the subject's sacrifice was not in vain, as he gave his life for a purpose.

The second line of the poem, "To Us, a lesser gift," contrasts the subject's sacrifice with the gifts that we, as humans, typically give. The use of the word "lesser" implies that the gifts we give are insignificant compared to the sacrifice of a life. This line also suggests that the subject's sacrifice was not only for a greater cause but also for the benefit of others.

The third line of the poem, "The lesser, of Himself," further emphasizes the subject's sacrifice. The use of the word "lesser" again implies that the subject's sacrifice was significant and that he gave up a part of himself for a greater cause. This line also suggests that the subject's sacrifice was not only physical but also emotional and spiritual.

The fourth line of the poem, "Unto the opposite, a Soul," introduces the idea of redemption. The use of the word "opposite" suggests that the subject's sacrifice was for someone who was different from him. The use of the word "Soul" implies that the subject's sacrifice was not only for the benefit of the physical body but also for the benefit of the soul.

The fifth line of the poem, "Was purchased, for a price," further emphasizes the idea of redemption. The use of the word "purchased" implies that the subject's sacrifice was not free but came at a cost. This line also suggests that the subject's sacrifice was not only for the benefit of the soul but also for the benefit of the person who received the redemption.

The sixth line of the poem, "The lesser, of Himself," repeats the idea of the subject's sacrifice being significant and that he gave up a part of himself for a greater cause. This repetition emphasizes the importance of the subject's sacrifice and reinforces the idea that his sacrifice was not in vain.

The seventh and final line of the poem, "The Price, is, of Surplus Days," introduces the idea of time. The use of the word "surplus" implies that the subject's sacrifice was not only for the benefit of the present but also for the benefit of the future. This line also suggests that the subject's sacrifice was not only for the benefit of one person but for the benefit of many.

The structure of the poem is simple, with each line consisting of only a few words. This simplicity emphasizes the power of each word and allows the reader to focus on the poem's meaning. The repetition of the phrase "The lesser, of Himself" also creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the poem's message.

Dickinson's use of literary devices also adds to the poem's power. The use of the word "gave" in the first line implies that the subject's sacrifice was voluntary and intentional. The use of the word "lesser" throughout the poem emphasizes the significance of the subject's sacrifice. The use of the word "opposite" in the fourth line creates a sense of contrast and reinforces the idea of redemption. The use of the word "purchased" in the fifth line creates a sense of value and reinforces the idea of redemption. The use of the word "surplus" in the final line creates a sense of abundance and reinforces the idea of the subject's sacrifice benefiting many.

In conclusion, "He gave away his Life" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of sacrifice, love, and redemption. Dickinson's use of simple language, repetition, and literary devices creates a sense of rhythm and emphasizes the poem's message. The poem's title and structure also reinforce the idea that the subject's sacrifice was not in vain and that it was for a greater cause. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to convey deep emotions through her words.

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